Athletes Making More Money Than Lebron James

CENTURY CITY, CA - MAY 20: Soccer player David Beckham attends the 27th Annual Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Sports Spectacular at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel on May 20, 2012 in Century City, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo $42 Million

WARSAW, POLAND - JUNE 21: In this handout image provided by UEFA, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal receives the man of the match award after the UEFA EURO 2012 Quarter Final match between Czech Republic and Portugal on June 21, 2012 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Handout/UEFA via Getty Images)

Lionel Messi $39 Million

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 4: An image of the back of international soccer star Lionel Messi, with whom EA has signed a multi-year contract, is projected at the EA press conference on the eve of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) on June 4, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. E3 is the most important yearly trade show the $78.5 billion videogame industry. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Alex Rodriguez $29 Million

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 19: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees reacts after striking out in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium on June 19, 2012 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Kobe Bryant $25.2 Million

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 21: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena on May 21, 2012 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Johan Santana $24 Million

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 19: Johan Santana #57 of the New York Mets looks on prior to delivering the first pitch in the first-inning against the Baltimore Orioles at CitiField on June 19, 2012 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney $24 Million

DONETSK, UKRAINE - JUNE 19: Wayne Rooney of England during the UEFA EURO 2012 group D match between England and Ukraine at Donbass Arena on June 19, 2012 in Donetsk, Ukraine. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

Joe Mauer $23 Million

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 29: Joe Mauer #7 and Jamey Carroll #8 of the Minnesota Twins celebrate scoring against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning on April 29, 2012 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Prince Fielder $23 Million

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 17: Prince Fielder #28 of the Detroit Tigers is hit by a pitch during a MLB interleague game against the Colorado Rockies at Comerica Park on June 17, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)

CC Sabathia $23 Million

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 18: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Atlanta Braves on June 18, 2012 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Mark Teixeira $22.5 Million

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: Mark Teixeira #25 of the New York Yankees hits a two run double in the fourteenth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 16, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Rashard Lewis $22.1 Million

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 28: Rashard Lewis #9 of the Washington Wizards and Derrick Brown #4 of the Charlotte Bobcats battle for a ball during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on January 28, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Cliff Lee $21.5 Million

TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 16: Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies sits on the bench after being pulled in the 8th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during MLB action at The Rogers Centre June 16, 2012 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

Tim Duncan $21.3 Million

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 06: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena on June 6, 2012 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Kevin Garnett $21.2 Million

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 9: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics looks on in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on June 9, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Vernon Wells $21 Million

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 19: Vernon Wells #10 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his pop fly caught at the warning track during the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 19, 2012 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Kaka $21 Million

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 25: Kaka of Real Madrid in action during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg between Real Madrid CF and Bayern Munich at The Bernabeu Stadium on April 25, 2012 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Miguel Cabrera $21 Million

(Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Adrian Gonzalez $21 Million

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 9: Adrian Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during the ninth inning of Washington's 4-2 win in interleague play at Fenway Park on June 9, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Justin Verlander $20 Million

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 14: Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers throws to the Chicago Cubs during the second inning of their MLB game at Wrigley field on June 14, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

Ryan Howard $20 Million

PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 28: First baseman Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies sits in the dugout during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park on April 28, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Roy Halladay $20 Million

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 22: Starting pitcher Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch during a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on May 22, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Carl Crawford $19.5 Million

FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Carl Crawford #13 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait on February 26, 2012 at jetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Gilbert Arenas $19.5 Million

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 24: Gilbert Arenas #1 of the Orlando Magic against the Atlanta Hawks during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 24, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 26: Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a sack against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 26, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Barry Zito $19 Million

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 14: Barry Zito #75 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Houston Astros at AT&T Park on June 14, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Tony Romo $18.9 Million

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 1: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after losing the game and the and the Eastern Division to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on January 1, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)

Pau Gasol $18.7 Million

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers saves the ball in front of Serge Ibaka #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 19 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Felix Hernandez $18.5 Million

Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez attends a team practice at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 27, 2012. The Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics are here ahead of the 2012 Major League Baseball (MLB) season opening two-game series on March 28-29. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI (Photo credit should read KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/GettyImages)

Carlos Lee $18.5 Million

DENVER, CO - MAY 28: First baseman Carlos Lee #45 of the Houston Astros defends against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 28, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Carmelo Anthony $18.5 Million

MIAMI, FL - MAY 09: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks speaks at a post game press conference after being defeated in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Miami Heat during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Amare Stoudemire $18.2 Million

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 06: Amare Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks looks on during warm ups against the Miami Heat in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2012 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Joe Johnson $18 Million

BOSTON, MA - MAY 04: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks works his way to the basket against Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2012 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

John Terry $18 Million

KRAKOW, POLAND - JUNE 22: John Terry stretches during an England training session ahead of their UEFA EURO 2012 quarter final match with Italy on June 22, 2012 in Krakow, Poland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

Yaya Toure $18 Million

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Yaya Toure of Manchester City celebrates scoring to make it 2-0 during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at the Sports Direct Arena on May 6, 2012 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning $18 Million

ENGLEWOOD, CO - MAY 21: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos looks on during organized team activities at Dove Valley on May 21, 2012 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Carlos Zambrano $18 Million

BOSTON, MA - June 21: Carlos Zambrano #38 of the Miami Marlins pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of the game at Fenway Park on June 21, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Tim Lincecum $18 Million

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 16: Starting pitcher Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 16, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Torii Hunter $18 Million

ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 20: Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts after being hit by a pitch in the seveth inning against the San Francisco Giants in an interleague game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 20, 2012 in Anaheim, California. The Angels won 6-0. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Haloti Ngata $17.9 Million

BALTIMORE - NOVEMBER 20: Haloti Ngata #92 of the Baltimore Ravens pauses during a timeout against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 31-24. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic looks on against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 28, 2012 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Matt Stafford $17.25 Million

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 20: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the start of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Ford Field on November 20, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Elton Brand $17.1 Million

OSTON, MA - MAY 26: Elton Brand #42 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots before a game with the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 26, 2012 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

BOSTON, MA - MAY 26: Elton Brand #42 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots before a game with the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 26, 2012 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Matt Holliday $17 Million

ST. LOUIS, MO - JUNE 12: Matt Holliday #7 of the St. Louis Cardinals attempts to catch a fly ball against the Chicago White Sox at Busch Stadium on June 12, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Fernando Torres $17 Million

GDANSK, POLAND - JUNE 18: Fernando Torres of Spain is substituted during the UEFA EURO 2012 group C match between Croatia and Spain at The Municipal Stadium on June 18, 2012 in Gdansk, Poland. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Jake Peavy $17 Million

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 19: Starting pitcher Jake Peavy #44 of the Chicago White Sox delivers the ball against the Chicago Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field on June 19, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Ichiro Suzuki $17 Million

PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 19: Ichiro Suzuki #51 of the Seattle Mariners gets ready to swing the bat against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. Suzuki singled to the outfield getting his 2500 career MLB hit. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

AJ Burnett $16.5 Million

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 16: Starting pitcher A.J. Burnett #34 of the Pittsburgh Pirates leaves the game during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on June 16, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Deron Williams $16.4 Million

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 10: Deron Williams #8 of the New Jersey Nets looks on in the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Prudential Center on April 10, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

Chris Paul $16.3 Million

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts in the third quarter while taking on the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Kevin Durant $16.3 Million

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 21: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during his post game press conference after they lost 121-106 against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2012 NBA Finals on June 21, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)